Posted By Jessica Camerato On December 8, 2008 @ 7:09 am In General | 1 Comment

Nine years ago today, one of the most infamous NBA careers came to an end. On December 8, 1999[1], Houston Rockets[2] forward Charles Barkley[3] tore the tendon in his left quadricep away from his kneecap on an attempted blocked shot against the Philadelphia 76ers[4]. Ironically, he played half of his 16-season career with the Sixers. Even though Barkley made one last appearance in the Rockets final game of the regular season on April 19, 2000[5], he held a press conference following the game on December 8 to thank his former teammates, commemorating the end of his career. The 11-time All-Star and NBA Hall of Famer ranks sixth all-time in offensive rebounds and left the game with a career average of 22.1 points and 11.7 rebounds.

Also on this date, then-Los Angeles Laker Shaquille O’Neal[6] broke a 40-year-old NBA record for missing all of his 11 free throw attempts against the Seattle SuperSonics[7]. The previous record had been held by Wilt Chamberlain[8], who missed all of his 10 free throw attempts in 1960.